Hundreds write to NFDC complaining about against Gladman Developments Limited’s plan to develop land off Snails Lane, between Blashford Lakes Nature Reserve and Poulner Lakes, near Ringwood

HIGHLY unpopular plans to build 140 homes on land prone to flooding and surrounded by lakes have sparked almost 370 complaints from the public.

Gladman Developments wants full planning permission from New Forest District Council to develop the site, including affordable housing, off Snails Lane in Blashford.

The area is between Blashford Lakes Nature Reserve, and Poulner Lakes, and the proposals have attracted hundreds of objections, mostly with concerns about flooding.

One wrote: “This site is prone to flooding, as indeed is the main road. In 2023 our home was flooded, largely resulting from surface water. The development will add additional strain to an already overloaded road network.

“The site under consideration is close to an area of special scientific interest, and the negative impact on the natural environment and wildlife will be huge.

”This is such an ill-conceived development, with previous failed applications. Local opposition is not nimbyism but legitimate and well considered.”

Another objector, described the planning application as “ludicrous”, adding: “The area floods on a regular basis, where do they think the water will go with an already struggling sewage system?

”I am sure this will fall on deaf ears as the decision has most likely been made already by people that don’t live in Ringwood.”

So far, 368 locals have written letters of objection, with another claiming: “This development will have a significant impact on local wildlife.

“The land is always flooded and this will only get worse with development. Traffic will have an adverse impact on the area. Whilst I recognise that Ringwood needs more housing this is not the right site for so many reasons.”

Another added: “This land is for nature, not for new housing of any type. It must be rejected and closed forever so it does not have to be fought against ever again.”

If given the go-ahead, the development would see the demolition of existing outbuildings to make way for the properties, plus the development of public open spaces including an “alternative” natural recreational greenspace, sustainable drainage systems, landscaping and access points.

As reported by the A&T, Gladman confirmed in October 2023 that it was still planning to develop the 10.73 hectare site after its previous development proposal for 143 homes was rejected in 2021.

In a design and access statement, Gladman told the district council its latest proposed development would be a “landscape led development, delivering sustainable homes, together with enhanced connectivity and publicly accessible open space”.

The statement continued: “The sequence of plans shows the various key iterations which focus on the need for open spaces, access and design of the alternative natural recreational greenspace, the edges of development in terms of open space design and development grain, as well as achieving a policy compliant affordable housing mix, with a desire for the site to deliver a number of smaller dwellings to meet local need.”

The statement describes the land as “contained and low lying” with mature trees and an “edge of settlement” character. Developers point out the site is around 1km from a railway station with “various opportunities” for employment, retail and facilities, including a nearby high street, educational and sporting facilities.

Access to the site, which would connect to a foul sewer at the nearby Headlands Business Park, would come from Salisbury Road.

A public consultation on the proposed development runs until Thursday 29th May.

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